Parcel check



PaIenfed Jan. 3,

RM LW/IY COMPANY I RECEIVED DELIVERED g ima. GHECKEDFREE IFCHECK NUMBERSHOWS WHEN PATRONRECEIVES COUPON \\$oam\flou CONTRACT c. PETTY.

PARCEL CHECK.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 2, I920.

. I COMPANY mnkw . u u w o A H 4 mm 9m 6 I 2 MM m. 6. ?7d/Zha m.

ATTORNEY CARL TAYLOR PETTY, OF KANSAS CITY. MISSOURI.

PARCEL CHECK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL TAYLOR Pn'rrv,

.- a citizen of the United States, residing at I claim coupon which isnot re-usable without self disclosed evidence of its prior use.

I attain this object and other advantages by means of the device'andcombination of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing inwhichFigure 1, is a plan view of the front side of a parcel checkembodying my invention; Figure 2, is a plan view of the reverse side ofthe same; Figure 3, is a plan view of the reverse side of the stickerfor secreting the serial numbr ofthe-claim coupon and showing the ribbonthereon for tearing the sticker to expose the serial number, a part ofmy invention, Figure 4:, isa cross section of the sticker, on the line4.l-,

'in Figure 1, and Figure 5, is a view of used coupon.

Similar numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

The numeral 1, designates a parcel check haying integral therewith thecustomary stub 2, provided with a cable 3, by which the stub is tied tothe parcel checked, a coupon 4, and a claim coupon 5, the couons beingseparable from the stub and rom each other, on the scored or indentedlines 6. The stub, the coupon, and the duplicate coupon or claim coupon,bear the name of the company using the parcel check, and also bear aserial number identically the same, as is shown at 7, in Figure 1. Onthe coupon 5, and covering the serial number thereon, in this instance,the numerals 949, a sticker 9, is affixed in such a manner that theserial number on the coupon shall not be visible. A ribbon 10, isarranged longitudinally of the sticker, on the lower side thereof, sothat the ribbon shall be disposed over the serial number to furtherprevent observation thereof until and after the ribbon shall have beentorn from the sticker. The sticker is made of any suitable opaquematerial, preferably,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 3, 1922.

Application fibed December 2, 1920. Serial No; 427,857.

tinted gummed paper differentiating from the tint of the coupon. Theribbon 10, is affixed on the lower side of the sticker, the lower sideof the ribbon being free of the coupon. The ribbon 10, is made of anysuitable material, preferably, cotton or silk fabric. When the sticker'is aliixed to the coupon the portions thereof at the sides of theribbon adhere to the coupon, leaving the ribbon over the serial numberbut free of the body of the coupon.

On thereverse side of the stub 2, is a space reserved for instructions,as shown at 11. On the reverse side of the coupon 4, is a the reverseside of the duplicate or claim coupon is reserved a space 13, forinformation data, then a space 14, for contract conditions, and then aspace 15, reserved for rates for checking service.

it is my understanding that parcel checks are frequently used again byemployees and the revenue collected thereby appropriated to their ownuse. It is diflicult to detect such unauthorized use of parcel checksbecause the check generally used in the parcel checking business is notprovided with any device or arrangement to evidence prior use.

The claim coupon of the parcel check embodying my invention is arrangedto disclose positive evidence of prior use after the check has been usedonce, which self disclosed evidence may be readily observed by anyperson inspecting the issuing of claim coupons by the employee. Theparcel checks are issued to the employee for use in the checkingbusiness, each check having an exposed serial number on its stub portionand a like serial number on the coupon portion but completely concealedfrom view, the strip 9, and the ribbon 10, being so arranged to preventa view of the hidden number. When a parcel is received the employeedetaches the stub portion of the parcel check and attaches the same onthe parcel and then separates the coupons 4 and 5, issuing the lattercoupon to the patron and depositing the former coupon for return to theauditor together with the redeemed coupon 5, at the close of the daysbusiness, to accompany the daily report of transactions. When the parcelis claimed and the claim coupon is pre sented, the employee tears away alongitudinal section of the cover 9, by pulling on the ribbon 10,thereby exposing the serial number on the coupon, the residue of thecover posed and the cover mutilated, the fact of g V 1,4l02,178

remaining afiixed to the body of the coupon,

at opposite sides of the serial number, as is. shown in F1gure'5. \Vhentheparcel 1s identified and delivered to the claimant, the

defaced or torn coupon is deposited forreturn to the auditor, as beforeexplained.

If, after prior use, the employee again issues the claim coupon theexposed serial number thereon and the destroyed cover 9, will serve toindicate to any person interested in knowing, that the coupon has beenused before, and that the employee is transacting business irregularly.Any one or more of such transactions may be noted by inspectors and thedaily report may be examined to see if other than regular transactionsappear thereon. If claim coupons are repaired and again issued by the employee with the serial number hidden, the fact will be made known to theexaminer of the returned coupons by the appearance of remnants of thecounterfeit cover adhering to the original cover. should be presentedwith the serial number exposed and the parcel claimed, the employee maynevertheless receive it but, if the coupon is issued with the serialnumber exprior use is thereby disclosed. Should the used claim coupon beissued again with a counterfeit cover it would be noticeable at thechecking stand and also at the auditors ofiice.

If the claim coupon I The advantage of parcel check embodyin myinvention is the provision ofmeans on the claim coupon for disclosingevidence of prior use which is visible and readily observable therebymaking it possible to de tect irregular and fraudulent reuse of par celchecks by employees-to collect revenue for themselves. .The cover 9functions to normally completely conceal the serial number on the claimcoupon portionwhen the latter is first regularly issued and to bear theribbon free of the coupon and in place over the serial number.

Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 29, 1920.

CARL TAYLOR" PETTY.

Witnesses:

HENRY STUBENRAUCH, JOHN E. H FFMAN.

